Sunday, January 6, 2013

An eco-sista who says there's no time like the present to make a healthy and sustainable contribution

How long have you been eco-friendly?20 years. I cut my perm and became a vegetarian in high school. I've never turned back.Why did you choose to be eco-friendly?Because it's good for me and good for the earth. I want to both reduce my toxic exposure as well as my carbon footprint. Eco-friendly lifestyles offer a more sustainable relationship with the world we live in.What do you like about it?I feel and look great! I like being healthy and building a healthy foundation for my life and the life of my family. It has pushed me to be a more informed and responsible consumer.Did you face any challenges?If so, what was/is the biggest obstacle(s)? I would say the biggest challenges present when I am (or my child) around people who don't share or understand my lifestyle choices. It is sometimes difficult to be in community with them for long periods of time. But we plan ahead, bring our own stuff, and don't stay long :-). There can be issues when traveling also. I live in the Bay Area which is ripe with Eco lifestyle but when in other states or countries I have to plan well in advance and be creative.Any tips/advice for someone looking to be more eco-friendly?Don't put it off! There's no time like the present to make a healthy and sustainable contribution to the earth and oneself. Start simple and change the things that are in your control e.g. choosing chemical free products, eating organic when possible, up-cycling- recycling- reusing.Going green can be complex. This discourages a lot of people. There's really no "right" way it's basically trying to do something than nothing at all. I sometimes feel like a green hypocrite. Do you feel that way sometimes?No, I live in the city. I can't be totally green and live here. I educate myself and do what I can to make a difference. Just when I think I've got it down I learn new info and make adjustments where I can. I can't change the world but I can make a difference so that's what I focus on.You know I gotta ask, How long have you been natural and how do you keep it so FLY?I've had natural hair for 20 years. Cut my perm way back then and never turned back. To me, fly is a confident state of mind. It says, I don't care what the world says I like this and I'm going to rock it. I work to constantly improve myself, my spirit, my diet, my body, my values, my word, my relationships, my business, and my style. That's FLY! Muah!Is there anything you like to add?The Healing Place